Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness –Mark Twain

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Day 5: Getting to know you

Monday, July 6, 2015

Today we visited the rest of San Francisco going door to door
and greeting the families. We divided up again into groups as we’d done
yesterday. My parents and Bob went with Katherine, Blanca, and part of the
Directiva. I went with Jordan, Emily, and Troy accompanied by Cecilia and the
other half of the Directiva.

We presented ourselves to the families and gave the families
blankets. We also asked about their latrine conditions. Many people didn’t have
latrines and several of those who did had old or broken latrines. I also tried
to ask each family about their corn crops. Everyone said that the crops were
shriveled and dried up. People told me they don’t know what they’re going to
do. One man called it a nightmare. I agree. I wish I could have done something
more but all I was able to do was tell them I’d pray for rain.

I had the chance to see several families and individuals
that I’d met before. It was a blessing to be able to see them again and find out
how they’re doing. Two people I saw today were girls (now young women) who I’d
taught English to when I lived here in 2011. Both of them had baby girls. One
was 10-months old and the other was 8-months old. They are adorable!!

What stuck out in my mind the most of everything I saw and
did today? Hospitality and love. People graciously greeted us with open arms. We
received handshakes, hugs, and in one case, some delicious beverages. Families
invited us inside their homes and offered us chairs to sit down and rest. They
were genuinely happy that we had come to visit their homes. I always feel so
much love when I visit people in the cantons.